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Tomorrow Clint Taylor sets off on his second ride around Tasmania to promote Autism awareness and understanding of Autism, and to raise funds for Autism Tasmania to support families touched by Autism. Had a chance to think this week why we supported Clint and Crystal (Clint’s support crew and wife) in 2013 and again this year. It was pretty simple, they were doing something for their family, most importantly the kids. This is not about sponsorship, CSR or anything else related to business, it was about “paying it forward”. Go to Ride Website to see more details about what he is doing. If you wish to donate great, otherwise spend a bit of time to become “aware and understand” autism.

Earlier this year received a email from Chris, I think he sent it out to a few companies. It moved us so we ended up sponsoring each person in his team a jersey and knicks as seen in picture. They set a goal of raising $20,000 and ended up raising over $40,000 which was amazing. Read his story below and click the link at end to donate –

The Ride to Conquer Cancer benefiting the Queensland Institute of Medical Research , is a cycling journey throughout Queensland scenic countryside that I’m embarking on to fight cancer. It will be a challenge in a number of ways, but with my bike, my helmet, and your generosity, a real impact will be made!

My beautiful wife Amy has battled this horrible disease for almost 8 years, I am completing this ride as a tribute to her strength, determination and courage. Below is a brief summary of her story.

Amy’s first bout of the disease, diagnosed in July 2003, involved the removal of a ‘football sized’ tumour from her pelvis and lower back. The ground breaking, 16 hour operation was followed by 12 months of intensive chemotherapy. Despite having to learn to walk again, Amy’s incredible strength and determination saw her return to her job as a primary school teacher in January 2005, just 6 months after leaving hospital.

During the next three years she would meet a dashingly handsome PE teacher, fall in love, become engaged and marry him in a magnificent ceremony surrounded by a large number of adoring family and friends. Life was perfect…until a fateful day in December 2007.

On the 3rd of December 2007, just two months after our wedding, Amy and I were called to her Oncologist’s office at the Mater Hospital. We were told that routine scans had revealed a relapse of a previous case of Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare but extremely aggressive form of cancer, this time in her right lung.

My absence during her first battle with this dreadful disease meant that I was completely unprepared for what was about to unfold. The day after her diagnosis, Amy had the tumour, and with it the lower lobe of her right lung removed. This was followed by three cycles of chemotherapy. Her doctors then decided to play all their cards in an effort to rid Amy’s body of any remaining cancer cells. The decision was made to use Stem Cell Transplant technology in conjunction with three cycles of High Dose Chemotherapy drugs.

On April 26th 2008, one week after receiving the second of her stem cell transplants, Amy’s body decided enough was enough. Her heart began to swell and her body began to shut down. She was very swiftly transferred to the Intensive Care Unit at The Wesley Hospital. Over the next week I would experience a rollercoaster of emotions.

After her first day in ICU I was woken by a call at 1:30am in the morning. It was Amy’s doctor informing me that her body was simply not coping and she had been placed onto a life support ventilator. The next day her doctors revealed the most shocking news a husband could ever hear. They told me that Amy’s heart had reacted severely to the chemotherapy drugs and was very badly damaged. They told us to prepare for the worst and only gave her a 20% chance of survival. After an initial breakdown, I decided that if anyone could beat those odds it was Amy.

What happened in the ensuing days was nothing short of a miracle. As our family took turns at her bedside we began to see subtle improvements in Amy’s condition. She woke up and attempted to communicate and although dazed and somewhat confused she continued to show further signs of recovery. To everyone’s amazement, only five days after being admitted to ICU, Amy was removed from the ventilator and was sitting up in bed.

Today, almost three years on, Amy has returned to the job she loves as a Curriculum Coordinator. Cancer is something that Amy and I live with in the back of our minds, knowing that we must face it every twelve weeks at her regular review scans. But she is a true inspiration to me and anyone who has been touched by her incredible story. Despite the uncertainty of her future health, Amy lives her life with great enthusiasm, positivity and zest and is a walking example of how strength, determination and positive attitude can overcome the most difficult of odds.

“Life is a ticket to the greatest show on Earth.” Martin H. Fischer

Contribute to this history-making event with a donation. Funds raised in The Ride to Conquer Cancer will support breakthrough research, exemplary teaching, and compassionate care at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research, a worldwide leader in cancer research and discovery and one of the largest research institutes in the southern hemisphere.

We are now preparing to do all the gear for the 2012 Act Belong Commit Dwellingup 100. A bigger than normal range of merchandise is being prepared. This includes the normal race jersey, matching knicks, dri fit t-shirt and hoodie. We also have some kids options available as well. The best place to get it is when you enter the race at www.dwellingup100.com.au. Some pictures of the the 2012 range below, so get registered, get some gear and get riding.

We just did a cool little project. Normally we do custom sports apparel for teams, clubs, companies and events. Anyway a few months ago Angie emails me, this picture showing a design she wanted done for a custom shirt.

From this we made two shirts up and here is the finished product and a bit of feedback from Angie.

Hi Matt!

I just wanted to say, thank you so SO much for the shirts. They are perfect and everything about them is exactly how I wanted them to be! I can’t thank you enough. 🙂

If I ever need something like this done again, I can guarantee I’ll be a returning customer! Kauri Sports is a fantastic company and I’m so pleased with how easy this was and the turnout, too.

Thank you again, your help as been wonderful. Definitely got my moneys worth.

We recently did some training tops for the Aquinas Old Collegian Football Club. After mainly showing pictures of ladies cycle teams and riders lately, thought a couple of pic’s of real footy players is what is needed. To have a bit of balance you could say. Well here they are, I like the pose in first picture.

Kauri Sports has just signed on as Official Apparel and Merchandise Supplier for the 2012 Act Belong Commit Dwellingup 100 mtb race. It consists of three mountain bike events, the D14, D40 and the big one the D100. Check out the website at www.dwellingup100.com.au. We are busy working on the designs for all the gear, which should be out in the coming weeks.

On June 24th 2012 the Hays Racing Team was unveiled to the world, perhaps just the people at the recent Perth Winter Track Cycling Grand Prix. Obviously wearing Kauri Sports custom cycling gear. Some good results on the day, see race details for more info. Thanks to Tony Lendrum for the photo. Check out the amazing photos he does at www.tonylendrumphotography.com.

On the weekend participated in the Be Active Kalamunda 50km mountain bike race. After a wet Saturday, Sunday was perfect. Track was firm but not too muddy, trails were beautiful. The only thing that needs improvement is my fitness, think, no I know I need to get out riding more. I managed to borrow a demo GT 29 inch bike from Jason at Malaga Cycles and must say like the feel of the 29ers.

Other news, well first in the ladies category was Leonie Burford from the new Hays Racing team. We are doing the teams kit and even though this was just the sample kit we did, it looks great. The team is made up of some of WA’s top women’s cyclists. So watch out on the velodrome, road and mountains for the new Hays Racing team.